News

Dog could be destroyed after ‘very nasty bite’

Published

9 years ago

October 11, 2017

A WOMAN from Pembroke appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Oct 11) to admit a charge of owning a dog which was dangerously out of control in July 2017, leading to two people she had known for many years getting injured.

Linzi Marie James of Whitehall Avenue conceded that it was her Jack Russell cross, called Toddy, which injured her two neighbours contrary to section 31 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

The offence carries a sentence of up to six months in jail, and the bench have said they will consider all options for sentence.

Prosecutor Vaughan Prichard Jones told the court that the incident happened at around midday. Both neighbours were at home with their husbands in the small cul-de-sac where they live, and both ladies became aware independently that there were three dogs running around outside.

Mr Pritchard Jones said: “The first victim was concerned that the dogs may run into her garage so she went out the front of the house. One of the dogs went in and she tried to shoo the dog. The dog came for her, teeth showing, she felt contact, the dog grazed her but had not bit her. In her attempt to get away, she fell backwards and this caused a fracture in her shoulder.

“The dog then ran across the road and the other neighbour says she then felt a bite to her leg. I have to say it was a very nasty bite. The dog took a chunk out of her leg. She had to have a skin graft. She says that since the operation her mobility has been severely restricted. She says that three weeks after the incident she can only walk a short distance and cannot drive: ‘I have to keep my leg elevated, if not it just aches’. She says that looking back at it all, ‘I didn’t have a fear of dogs but now I do’.”

“My main fear is what could have happened had it been a child,” one of the complainants said in their Victim Impact Statement.

James was interviewed about how the dog got out and she said a friend of hers put a stack of pallets near her fence, which she thought the dogs used to jump the fence.

It was the one dog, the Jack Russell, responsible on both occasions, the court heard.

“The prosecution seeks a destruction order for the dog due to the nature of the injuries. My friend will oppose that and we have no objection for the case being adjourned for that to be decided at a later hearing,” added Mr Pritchard Jones.

Katie Hanson, defending, said that her client was devastated by what had happened.

“She is so remorseful. The complainants are neighbours who she has known her entire life. She has pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. We will be asking for an adjournment. She has looked after the dog for a long time, he is 10 years of age. She is a lady who has a number of dogs. She has fostered dogs and kittens for rescue centres. Nothing of this nature has ever happened before. The night this happened the fence was extended in the front garden to make sure that this will never happen again. There has been no problem with the dog since this happened in July,” Ms Hanson continued.

“We have instructed a behaviourist to help us to oppose the destruction of the dog, and we will provide evidence at the next hearing. I have not received the complainant’s statements – we haven’t received that yet so there is still work to be done. I think it is important we have all the evidence before we can make a decision of this nature.”

At the end of the hearing it was decided the case would be adjourned. The Chair of the bench said: “We are happy to put the matter back, and we need an all options pre-sentence report. We are looking at all sentencing options in this case.”

The case to decide the sentence for Linzi James and the future of her dog, Toddy, will be decided on October 31.

Crime

Man charged with attempted murder after A44 collision near Aberystwyth

Published

11 hours ago

July 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A 24-YEAR-OLD man has been charged following a single-vehicle collision on the A44 near Capel Bangor, Aberystwyth.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the incident happened on Tuesday, June 30.

Owen Rhys-Jones, of Dol-y-Bont, Aberystwyth, has been charged with attempted murder, dangerous driving, and controlling and coercive behaviour.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before court.

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses and are asking anyone who was in the Capel Bangor area at around 8.50pm on Tuesday, June 30, to come forward.

Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who witnessed a disturbance in or around Capel Bangor, or who may have phone, video or dashcam footage of the incident.

Anyone with information can contact Dyfed-Powys Police through the force’s dedicated online portal.

The force said: “We would like to thank the local community for their support while officers have carried out extensive enquiries, and to those who have supported our investigation so far.”

News

A40 closed near Llandeilo following collision

Published

11 hours ago

July 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A SECTION of the A40 in Carmarthenshire has been closed in both directions following a collision.

The road is currently shut between Llandeilo and Nantgaredig, with traffic queuing in the area and emergency services attending.

Drivers are being urged to avoid the route where possible, allow extra time for their journeys and follow the diversions in place.

The closure is affecting traffic on the A40 between Carmarthen and Llandeilo, including the area around Pentrefelin and the Castle Dryslwyn turn-off.

This is a developing incident and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Local Government

Award-winning Saundersfoot sauna faces refusal over location concerns

Published

11 hours ago

July 3, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS to allow an award-winning outdoor sauna to remain permanently at Saundersfoot Harbour have been recommended for refusal by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners.

Hwyl Outdoor Sauna, run by Kerry Evans, was granted temporary two-year permission in June 2024 for a mobile wood-fired sauna at the harbour.

The business has since become a popular feature with residents, visitors and cold-water swimmers, and was named Sauna of the Year 2026/27 at the Wales Prestige Awards earlier this year.

***Saundersfoot’s cold-water swimmers are sauna regulars. (Image: Hwyl Outdoor Sauna)***

***Hwyl Outdoor Sauna (Image: Hwyl Outdoor Sauna)***

Ms Evans has now applied to make the siting permanent, but officers are recommending refusal when the application goes before the National Park Authority’s development management committee on Tuesday, July 15.

A supporting statement submitted with the application said the sauna had “become a popular and valued amenity for both residents and visitors, offering a space focused on health, wellbeing and community connection”.

It added: “The overall sentiment within the village has been strongly supportive, with many residents recognising the sauna as a valuable asset that enhances the amenities in Saundersfoot.

“Hwyl Outdoor Sauna has received positive attention in regional and national press, helping to promote Saundersfoot as a destination for coastal wellbeing and outdoor experiences.

“Media coverage has highlighted the sauna as an example of the increasing popularity of sea swimming and sauna culture around the UK coastline.”

Saundersfoot Community Council has raised no objection to the application, and most of the 19 letters submitted by members of the public support the proposal.

Supporters have described the sauna as “a major asset to the village,” “a wellness landmark for Saundersfoot,” and “a unique offering that attracts visitors to the beach and harbour”.

However, some objectors have said that while they support permanent consent in principle, they do not believe the sauna should remain in its current position because it “obstructs the view of the beach from the promenade”.

In their report to committee members, National Park officers say the proposal, in its current form and location, would harm the setting of the Saundersfoot Conservation Area.

The report states: “The application, in its current form and with the proposed location of the sauna, is considered to result in a landscape impact that harms the setting of the Saundersfoot Conservation Area.

“The sauna is also located in a position which reduces public access along the existing promenade route, which is considered to prevent appropriate access from being achieved.

“In addition, since the temporary permission was granted, planning advice has been updated and there is now a requirement for a Flood Consequences Assessment in this location. The lack of a suitable Flood Consequences Assessment results in insufficient information to support the current application.”

Officers also note that the latest application includes additional development, including a booking office which has already been installed, meaning the overall scale of the proposal is greater than the scheme approved on a temporary basis in 2024.

The report adds: “Following consideration of the implementation of the temporary permission and given the greater extent of the current proposal, it is considered that the visual impact of the sauna and related booking office has now increased and could be reduced by locating the sauna further back in the car park.

“This would also have the benefit of the sauna not requiring relocation during severe weather and increased flood risk.”

The application is recommended for refusal on the grounds of visual impact, impact on the conservation area, reduced public access along the promenade, and the absence of a suitable Flood Consequences Assessment.

Committee members will make the final decision at the July 15 meeting.